Prediction Formula for Pathological Depth of Invasion From Clinical Depth of Invasion in Tongue Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) Stage I/II Cases.

BACKGROUND:  The depth of invasion (DOI) of tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is an important prognostic factor. The definition is clear for pathological DOI (pDOI), but the treatment strategy is determined by the preoperative clinical DOI (cDOI). Few studies have investigated the difference between these DOIs. The purpose of this study was to obtain the correlation equation between cDOI and pDOI for Stage I/II tongue SCC and to consider the points to be noted in actual clinical practice. METHODS:  In this retrospective study, 58 patients with clinical stage I/II tongue SCC were included. Correlations between cDOI and pDOI were obtained for all 58 cases, as well as for 39 cases which excluded superficial and exophytic lesions. RESULTS:  The overall cDOI and pDOI median values were 8.0 and 5.5 mm, respectively; the 2.5 mm reduction was significant (p < 0.01). The correlation equation was pDOI = 0.81 × cDOI-0.23 (r = 0.73). Furthermore, re-analysis of the 39 cases revealed that pDOI = 0.84 × cDOI-0.37 (r = 0.62). Hence, a derived equation pDOI = 0.84 × (cDOI-0.44) was obtained to predict pDOI from cDOI. CONCLUSIONS:  This study indicated that it is necessary to consider contraction due to specimen fixation by subtracting the thickness of the mucosal epithelium. Clinical T1 cases with a cDOI of 5 mm or less had a pDOI of 4 mm or less, and it would be expected to have low positive rate of neck lymph node metastasis.

Ultrasound procedure for the diagnosis of mass lesions in the oral region.

OBJECTIVES: To examine the diagnostic usefulness and procedures of ultrasonography (US) for mass lesions in the soft tissue of the oral region. METHODS: This study involved patients with mass lesions (tumorous lesions and cysts) who had undergone US and histopathological examinations from January 2017 to December 2019. The following points were evaluated by two observers using an evaluation scale: vascularity, echo intensity level, boundary, margin shape, distribution of internal echoes, and capsule. The usefulness of each point for differential diagnosis of tumorous lesions and cysts was statistically analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-five mass lesions in the soft tissue of the oral region (33 tumorous lesions and 12 cysts) were analyzed. There were significant differences in four evaluation points between the tumorous lesions and cysts: vascularity, echo intensity level, boundary, and margin shape. Cysts were almost completely excluded diagnostically, especially when vascularity was observed. There were also significant differences in two evaluation points between nonvascular tumorous lesions and cysts: echo intensity level and boundary. CONCLUSIONS: In US examination for mass lesions in the oral region, it was possible to diagnose tumorous lesions and exclude cysts when vascularity was observed. When vascularity was not observed, however, tumorous lesions and cysts could be identified using two evaluation points: echo intensity level and boundary.

Design of palatal and lingual augmentation prostheses by using an intraoral scanner for a patient after a glossectomy: A clinical report.

Computer-aided design and computer-aided manufacturing was used to fabricate palatal and lingual augmentation prostheses for a patient with dysphagia after a glossectomy. The function of these prostheses was comparable with that of those fabricated by conventional methods. The patient outcome suggests that an intraoral scanner can be effectively used for the fabrication of augmentation prostheses for patients with dysphagia and a high risk of aspiration.

Influence of mandibular incisor agenesis and growth pattern on symphysis characteristics: A retrospective cephalometric study.

OBJECTIVE: This study was performed to investigate the effects of mandibular incisor (MnI) agenesis and divergent malocclusion type on mandibular symphysis inclination and morphology. METHODS: A total of 162 selected patients were divided into two groups: one group consisted of patients with one or two congenitally missing MnIs, and another group comprised patients without tooth agenesis. Patients in each group were categorized into three divergent malocclusion groups (hypodivergent, normodivergent and hyperdivergent) according to the Frankfort mandibular plane angle, with 27 patients per group. Lateral cephalograms were used to evaluate mandibular symphysis inclination and morphology. Two-way analysis of variance, simple main effect analysis and Tukey's test were used for statistical comparisons. RESULTS: The agenesis group demonstrated a significantly greater retroclination of the mandibular symphysis than the non-agenesis group in the normodivergent group. In the hypodivergent and normodivergent groups, the agenesis group showed a significantly smaller area of the alveolar bone with thinner width and shorter height than the non-agenesis group. CONCLUSION: For the Japanese orthodontic patients, MnI agenesis caused a significantly great retroclination of the mandibular symphysis in patients with normodivergent malocclusion and significantly small area of the alveolar bone with thin width and short height in patients with hypo- and normodivergent malocclusions.

Disease resistance and growth promotion activities of chitin/cellulose nanofiber from spent mushroom substrate to plant.

Some studies have reported the method for treating the spent mushroom substrate (SMS). However, the effective use as a functional raw material based on properties of SMS remains a formidable challenge. In this study, we investigated the usefulness of SMS in agriculture to develop a new method for treating and utilizing it. First, we attempted to isolate chitin/cellulose nanofiber complex (CCNFC) from SMS using chemical pretreatment and mechanical fibrillation. The characterization results like SEM, FT-IR, and XRD showed that we successfully isolated the CCNFC from SMS. Second, we explored the biological activities of the CCNFC for its potential application as a functional agricultural nanomaterial. CCNFC water dispersion with low concentration (0.1 and 1 mg/mL) exhibited significant plant disease resistance and plant growth promotion activities. Our results suggested that SMS may provide a useful source of functional agricultural nanomaterial, which may contribute to treating and applying it in agriculture.

Guidance on the need for contraception related to use of pharmaceuticals: the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development Study Group for providing information on the proper use of pharmaceuticals in patients with reproductive potential.

BACKGROUND: The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and European Medicines Agency (EMA) have published guidelines on the use of cancer treatments in young people of reproductive potential. However, no such guideline is available in Japan. Therefore, this project aimed to gather relevant data and draft a respective guidance paper. METHODS: From April 2019 to March 2021, the Study Group for Providing Information on the Proper Use of Pharmaceuticals in Patients with Reproductive Potential at the Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development gathered opinions from experts in reproductive medicine, toxicology, and drug safety measures. The group considered these opinions, the FDA and EMA guidelines, and relevant Japanese guidelines and prepared a guidance paper, which they sent to 19 related organizations for comment. RESULTS: By November 2020, the draft guidance paper was completed and sent to the related organizations, 17 of which provided a total of 156 comments. The study group finalized the guidance paper in March 2021. CONCLUSIONS: The "Guidance on the Need for Contraception Related to Use of Pharmaceuticals" (The report of the Study Group for Providing Information on the Proper Use of Pharmaceuticals in Patients with Reproductive Potential, Research on Regulatory Science of Pharmaceuticals and Medical Devices, Japan Agency for Medical Research and Development: JP20mk0101139) is expected to help Japanese healthcare professionals provide fertility-related care and advice to adolescents, and young adults with cancer and their families.

Resident stroma-secreted chemokine CCL2 governs myeloid-derived suppressor cells in the tumor microenvironment.

Accumulating evidence has shown that cancer stroma and BM-derived cells (BMDCs) in the tumor microenvironment (TME) play vital roles in tumor progression. However, the mechanism by which oral cancer stroma recruits any particular subset of BMDCs remains largely unknown. Here, we sought to identify the subset of BMDCs that is recruited by cancer stroma. We established a sequential transplantation model in BALB/c nude mice, including (a) BM transplantation of GFP-expressing cells and (b) coxenografting of patient-derived stroma (PDS; 2 cases, designated PDS1 and PDS2) with oral cancer cells (HSC-2). As controls, xenografting was performed with HSC-2 alone or in combination with normal human dermal fibroblasts (HDF). PDS1, PDS2, and HDF all promoted BMDC migration in vitro and recruitment in vivo. Multicolor immunofluorescence revealed that the PDS coxenografts recruited Arginase-1+CD11b+GR1+GFP+ cells, which are myeloid-derived suppressor cells (MDSCs), to the TME, whereas the HDF coxenograft did not. Screening using microarrays revealed that PDS1 and PDS2 expressed CCL2 mRNA (encoding C-C motif chemokine ligand 2) at higher levels than did HDF. Indeed, PDS xenografts contained significantly higher proportions of CCL2+ stromal cells and CCR2+Arginase-1+CD11b+GR1+ MDSCs (as receiver cells) than the HDF coxenograft. Consistently, a CCL2 synthesis inhibitor and a CCR2 antagonist significantly inhibited the PDS-driven migration of BM cells in vitro. Furthermore, i.p. injection of the CCR2 antagonist to the PDS xenograft models significantly reduced the CCR2+Arginase-1+CD11b+GR1+ MDSC infiltration to the TME. In conclusion, oral cancer stroma-secreted CCL2 is a key signal for recruiting CCR2+ MDSCs from BM to the TME.

Evaluation of the relationship between history of lower back pain and asymmetrical trunk range of motion.

BACKGROUND: Low back pain (LBP) is a common complaint and preventive measures should be considered immediately. In addition, asymmetrical trunk motion, which occurs due to repetitive motion upon performing daily activities, may be one of the biomechanical factors to cause LBP. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the characteristics of asymmetrical trunk motion in women with a history of LBP. METHODS: Thirty-four women were dichotomously categorized into either the LBP or non-LBP group. Trunk active range of motion (RoM) upon sitting and standing were measured via a three-dimensional motion analysis system. Each RoM and rotation and side-flexion asymmetries were calculated and an unpaired t-tests were used to identify differences between each group. RESULTS: Trunk rotation asymmetry upon sitting and standing position in LBP group was significantly greater than that in non-LBP group. Furthermore, trunk rotation angle upon sitting in LBP group was significantly larger than that in non-LBP group. CONCLUSIONS: The limited RoM and asymmetry of trunk rotation may be due to imposed repetitive mechanical stress on habitual excessive motion, including most asymmetrical movements. Our findings indicated that a small trunk rotation angle and asymmetrical trunk rotation may be useful parameters to predict LBP onset or other musculoskeletal conditions of the trunk.

Application of "Tissueoid Cell Culture System" Using a Silicate Fiber Scaffold for Cancer Research.

BACKGROUND: We developed a 3-dimensional (3D) culture system using a high-purity silica fiber scaffold of unwoven sheets called CellbedTM. METHODS: We used adherent colon and esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma cells, tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) cells, and nonadherent gastric cancer cells. These cells were subjected to staining with various substances and observed by electron microscopy. To evaluate the effects of extracellular matrix in carcinoma tissues, SqCC cells were cultured in Cellbed coated with collagens I, III, and IV. RESULTS: Especially well-differentiated carcinoma cells cultured in this 3D system showed their own unique characteristics: luminal formation in adenocarcinoma cells and cell stratification and keratinization in SqCC cells. Scanning electron microscopy revealed the proliferation of cancer cells with cytoplasm entwined in Cellbed. Intercellular desmosomes in squamous epithelia were detected by transmission electron microscopy of vertical cross sections. SqCC cells cultured in Cellbed coated with collagen IV showed enhanced invasive and proliferative abilities. CONCLUSION: Because the morphology of cancer cells cultured in this 3D culture system is similar to that in living organisms, we called the system a "tissueoid cell culture system." Coating with collagen IV enables the modification of cell-matrix interactions as well as recapitulation of the in vivo microenvironment.

Differentiation and roles of bone marrow-derived cells on the tumor microenvironment of oral squamous cell carcinoma.

The stroma affects the properties and dynamics of the tumor. Previous studies have demonstrated that bone marrow-derived cells (BMDCs) possess the capability of differentiating into stromal cells. However, the characteristics and roles of BMDCs in oral squamous cell carcinoma remain unclear. The current study therefore investigated their locations and features by tracing green fluorescent protein (GFP)-labeled BMDCs in a transplantation mouse model. After irradiation, BALB-c nu-nu mice were injected with bone marrow cells from C57BL/6-BALB-C-nu/nu-GFP transgenic mice. These recipient mice were then injected subcutaneously in the head with human squamous cell carcinoma-2 cells. Immunohistochemistry for GFP, Vimentin, CD11b, CD31 and α-smooth muscle actin (SMA), and double-fluorescent immunohistochemistry for GFP-Vimentin, GFP-CD11b, GFP-CD31 and GFP-α-SMA was subsequently performed. Many round-shaped GFP-positive cells were observed in the cancer stroma, which indicated that BMDCs served a predominant role in tumorigenesis. Vimentin(+) GFP(+) cells may also be a member of the cancer-associated stroma, originating from bone marrow. Round or spindle-shaped CD11b(+) GFP(+) cells identified in the present study may be macrophages derived from bone marrow. CD31(+)GFP(+) cells exhibited a high tendency towards bone marrow-derived angioblasts. The results also indicated that spindle-shaped α-SMA(+) GFP(+) cells were not likely to represent bone marrow-derived cancer-associated fibroblasts. BMDCs gathering within the tumor microenvironment exhibited multilineage potency and participated in several important processes, such as tumorigenesis, tumor invasion and angiogenesis.

The Role of Sonic Hedgehog Signaling in the Tumor Microenvironment of Oral Squamous Cell Carcinoma.

Sonic hedgehog (SHH) and its signaling have been identified in several human cancers, and increased levels of SHH expression appear to correlate with cancer progression. However, the role of SHH in the tumor microenvironment (TME) of oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) is still unclear. No studies have compared the expression of SHH in different subtypes of OSCC and focused on the relationship between the tumor parenchyma and stroma. In this study, we analyzed SHH and expression of its receptor, Patched-1 (PTCH), in the TME of different subtypes of OSCC. Fifteen endophytic-type cases (ED type) and 15 exophytic-type cases (EX type) of OSCC were used. H&E staining, immunohistochemistry (IHC), double IHC, and double-fluorescent IHC were performed on these samples. ED-type parenchyma more strongly expressed both SHH and PTCH than EX-type parenchyma. In OSCC stroma, CD31-positive cancer blood vessels, CD68- and CD11b-positive macrophages, and α-smooth muscle actin-positive cancer-associated fibroblasts partially expressed PTCH. On the other hand, in EX-type stroma, almost no double-positive cells were observed. These results suggest that autocrine effects of SHH induce cancer invasion, and paracrine effects of SHH govern parenchyma-stromal interactions of OSCC. The role of the SHH pathway is to promote growth and invasion.

Tumor Angiogenic Inhibition Triggered Necrosis (TAITN) in Oral Cancer.

CXCR4 is a chemokine receptor crucial in tumor progression, although the angiogenic role of CXCR4 in oral squamous cell carcinoma (OSCC) has not been investigated. Here we show that CXCR4 is crucial for tumor angiogenesis, thereby supporting tumor survival in OSCC. Immunohistochemistry on human clinical specimens revealed that CXCR4 and a tumor vasculature marker CD34 were co-distributed in tumor vessels in human OSCC specimens. To uncover the effects of CXCR4 inhibition, we treated the OSCC-xenografted mice with AMD3100, so-called plerixafor, an antagonist of CXCR4. Notably, we found a unique pathophysiological structure defined as tumor angiogenic inhibition triggered necrosis (TAITN), which was induced by the CXCR4 antagonism. Treatment with AMD3100 increased necrotic areas with the induction of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α in the xenografted tumors, suggesting that AMD3100-induced TAITN was involved in hypoxia and ischemia. Taken together, we demonstrated that CXCR4 plays a crucial role in tumor angiogenesis required for OSCC progression, whereas TAITN induced by CXCR4 antagonism could be an effective anti-angiogenic therapeutic strategy in OSCC treatment.

Capsular attachment of the subregions of rotator cuff muscles.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to morphologically and histologically investigate the relationship between deep subregions of the rotator cuff muscle and shoulder joint capsule as well as the relationship between the rotator cuff tendon or capsule and bony insertion. METHODS: We examined 13 shoulders of embalmed cadavers and measured the capsular attachments and footprints macroscopically. We also histologically examined the fibres in three shoulders. RESULTS: Loose attachment, which was less tight with spaced connective tissue, and firm attachment, which was tight with dense connective tissue, were found under the surface of the supraspinatus and infraspinatus. The anterior-deep and posterior-deep subregions of the supraspinatus and the middle partition and inferior partition of the infraspinatus formed firm attachments to the capsule. The mean areas of firm attachment for the anterior-deep subregion, posterior-deep subregion and middle partition were 118.8 mm2, 267.8 mm2 and 399.3 mm2, respectively, while the area of the inferior partition was small. The transverse fibres were located just lateral to the medial edge of the firm attachment area. The thick capsule had a substantial footprint. Both tendon fibres and the capsule inserted into the superior and middle facets through the attachment fibrocartilage. CONCLUSIONS: The posterior-deep subregion of the supraspinatus and middle partition of the infraspinatus evenly occupied the capsular attachment area. The transverse fibres were located just lateral to the medial edge of the firm attachment area, and the thick capsule had a substantial footprint. Both tendon fibres and the capsule inserted into the superior and middle facets through the attachment fibrocartilage.

Antitumor activity of potent pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 inhibitors from plants in pancreatic cancer.

Phosphorylation of pyruvate dehydrogenase by pyruvate dehydrogenase kinase 4 (PDK4) 4 inhibits its ability to induce a glycolytic shift. PDK4 expression is frequently upregulated in various cancer tissues, with its elevation being critical for the induction of the Warburg effect. PDK4 is an attractive target for cancer therapy given its effect on shifting glucose metabolism. Previous research has highlighted the necessity of identifying a potent compound to suppress PDK4 activity at the submicromolar concentrations. Here we identified natural diterpene quinones (KIS compounds) that inhibit PDK4 at low micromolar concentrations. KIS37 (cryptotanshinone) inhibited anchorage-independent growth in three-dimensional spheroid and soft agar colony formation assays of KRAS-activated human pancreatic (MIAPaCa-2 and Panc-1) and colorectal (DLD-1 and HCT116) cancer cell lines. KIS37 also suppressed KRAS protein expression in such cell lines. Furthermore, KIS37 suppressed phosphorylation of Rb protein and cyclin D1 protein expression via the PI3K-Akt-mTOR signaling pathway under nonadherent culture conditions and suppressed the expression of cancer stem cell markers CD44, EpCAM, and ALDH1A1 in MIAPaCa-2 cells. KIS37 also suppressed pancreatic cancer cell growth in both subcutaneous xenograft and orthotopic pancreatic tumor models in nude mice at 40 mg/kg (intraperitoneal dose) without any evident toxicity. Reduced ALDH1A1 expression was observed in KIS37-treated pancreatic tumors, suggesting that cancer cell stemness was also suppressed in the orthotopic tumor model. The aforementioned results indicate that KIS37 administration is a novel therapeutic strategy for targeting PDK4 in KRAS-activated intractable human pancreatic cancer.

Notch Signaling Affects Oral Neoplasm Cell Differentiation and Acquisition of Tumor-Specific Characteristics.

Histopathological findings of oral neoplasm cell differentiation and metaplasia suggest that tumor cells induce their own dedifferentiation and re-differentiation and may lead to the formation of tumor-specific histological features. Notch signaling is involved in the maintenance of tissue stem cell nature and regulation of differentiation and is responsible for the cytological regulation of cell fate, morphogenesis, and/or development. In our previous study, immunohistochemistry was used to examine Notch expression using cases of odontogenic tumors and pleomorphic adenoma as oral neoplasms. According to our results, Notch signaling was specifically associated with tumor cell differentiation and metaplastic cells of developmental tissues. Notch signaling was involved in the differentiation of the ductal epithelial cells of salivary gland tumors and ameloblast-like cells of odontogenic tumors. However, Notch signaling was also involved in squamous metaplasia, irrespective of the type of developmental tissue. In odontogenic tumors, Notch signaling was involved in epithelial-mesenchymal interactions and may be related to tumor development and tumorigenesis. This signaling may also be associated with the malignant transformation of ameloblastomas. Overall, Notch signaling appears to play a major role in the formation of the characteristic cellular composition and histological features of oral neoplasms, and this involvement has been reviewed here.

Relationship between jaw-opening force and neck circumference in healthy older individuals.

AIM: In recent years, the relationships of arm circumference and calf circumference with swallowing function have been reported. However, the efficacy of using the neck circumference, which is closer to the swallowing-related muscles, has never been verified. Jaw-opening force, an indicator of suprahyoid muscle strength, is known to be useful for screening for dysphagia. The aim of the present study was to identify the relationships between neck circumference and swallowing-related muscle strength, and to clarify the association between these variables in older individuals. METHODS: A total of 104 healthy, independent older individuals, aged ≥65 years (36 men, 68 women, mean age 71.5 ± 4.5 years, range 65-83 years), participated in the study. Neck circumference, arm circumference, calf circumference, jaw-opening force and repetitive saliva swallowing test scores were measured. Multiple regression analysis was carried out to determine the relationship between neck circumference and jaw-opening force, between neck circumference and repetitive saliva swallowing test score, and to identify variables affecting jaw-opening force and neck circumference. RESULTS: The participants' mean body mass index was 22.8 ± 2.9 (range 15.8-32.4). Sex and neck circumference, but not arm or calf circumference, were significant independent factors related to jaw-opening force. Independent factors affecting neck circumference were sex, body mass index, jaw-opening force and arm circumference, but not repetitive saliva swallowing test score. CONCLUSIONS: In healthy older individuals, neck circumference was more strongly related to jaw-opening force than were arm or calf circumference. This suggested that neck circumference could be useful for evaluating swallowing-related muscle strength non-invasively and easily. Geriatr Gerontol Int 2019; 19: 330-334.

Host factors influence Barrett's carcinogenesis: findings from a mouse gastroduodenal reflux model.

BACKGROUND: Rat gastroduodenal reflux models have been used for analyzing Barrett's carcinogenesis. Mice seem to be more useful than rats for studies targeting genes. METHODS: We induced gastroduodenal contents reflux by esophagojejunostomy using C57BL/6J mice. Mice were divided into a standard diet and high-fat diet groups and kept for 60 weeks. Bile was sampled from the gallbladder to analyze bile acid fractions, and the esophagus was removed for a histological investigation. Human esophagogastric junction adenocarcinoma cells (OE19) were exposed to taurocholic acid (TCA), after which cell proliferative activity was measured. Rat esophageal cancer cell lines, ESCC-DR and ESCC-DRtca with higher malignant potential induced by continuous TCA exposure, were used to perform comprehensive genetic analysis (CGH). RESULTS: Barrett's epithelium onset occurred in all mice, and no differences in histological changes were noted between the standard diet and high-fat diet groups. However, no development of adenocarcinoma was noted. Most of the mouse bile acid was taurine conjugates. In the experiment using OE-19 cells, TCA promotes cell proliferation in a dose-dependent manner. Array CGH analysis revealed a large number of chromosomal abnormalities in the ESCC-DR, in addition to genetic abnormalities such as in the UGT2B gene, the substrate of which is bile acid. TCA administration resulted in more chromosomal abnormalities being detected. CONCLUSIONS: We showed the effects of TCA in cancer progression in vitro. However, Barrett's adenocarcinoma onset rates differ between mice and rats despite undergoing similar reflux stimulation including taurine-conjugated bile acids being detected in mouse bile juice. These results suggest that host factors seem to influence Barrett's carcinogenesis.

Importance of tumor budding grade as independent prognostic factor for early tongue squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Factors involved in neck lymph node metastasis (NLM) and prognosis of early tongue squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) remain unknown. METHODS: We analyzed disease-specific survival (DSS) and NLM including tumor budding grade (TBG) among 64 patients with cT1/2N0 tongue SCC. RESULTS: Univariate analysis of DSS of primary lesions uncovered significant differences in new cT, pT, new pT, pDiameter, venous infiltration, and TBG. Multivariate analysis selected only TBG3 as a predictor of NLM (odds ratio, 9.55; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.80-50.8; P = .008), and a prognostic factor for DSS (hazard ratio, 4.41; 95% CI, 1.34-14.5; P = .02). CONCLUSION: The sole predictor of NLM and the prognosis of early tongue SCC was TBG, indicating that it might help to select overwhelming risk patients.

Expression and localization of aromatase in human gastric mucosa : Immunohistochemical study using biopsy materials.

Parietal cells in the gastric mucosa are known not only as cells playing major roles in food digestion but also as cells bearing endocrine function. In addition to their production of gastrin and ghrelin, it has been recently revealed that these cells are also involved in the synthesis and secretion of estrogens with their expression of aromatase in experimental animals. Although aromatase activity has been detected in human gastric cancer cells and related cell lines, much less study has been done to ascertain the expression of the enzymatic activity in normal gastric mucosa. It has not been established which cell type is responsible for estrogen production in human gastric glands consisting of epithelial cells of several types. The aim of this study is to define the expression of aromatase by parietal cells in human gastric glands using immunohistochemical techniques. We retrieved formalin-fixed paraffin embedded materials of gastric biopsies from 16 patients (nine men, seven women). Colocalization of aromatase and H+/K+-ATPase ß-subunit indicated that positive cells are parietal cells, but not chief cells and mucous cells. Furthermore, immunoreactivity of aromatase was detected within gastric glands irrespective of age or sex. These results suggest that human parietal cells synthesize estrogens within gastric mucosa and subsequently secrete them to the portal vein via gastric vein, as they do in rats. These estrogens might influence liver functions in humans. The estrogenic effects related to liver dysfunction might also be attributed to them.

Effects of the Geometrical Structure of a Honeycomb TCP on Relationship between Bone / Cartilage Formation and Angiogenesis.

A number of biomaterials have been developed, some of which already enjoy widespread clinic use. We have devised a new honeycomb tricalcium phosphate (TCP) containing through-and-through holes of various diameters to control cartilage and bone formation. However, the way in which the geometric structure of the honeycomb TCP controls cartilage and bone tissue formation separately remains unknown. In addition, an association has been reported between bone formation and angiogenesis. Therefore, in the present study, we investigated the relationship between angiogenesis and various hole diameters in our honeycomb TCP over time in a rat ectopic hard tissue formation model. Honeycomb TCPs with hole diameters of 75, 300, and 500 µm were implanted into rat femoral muscle. Next, ectopic hard tissue formation in the holes of the honeycomb TCP was assessed histologically at postoperative weeks 1, 2, and 3, and CD34 immunostaining was performed to evaluate angiogenesis. The results showed that cartilage formation accompanied by thin and poor blood vessel formation, bone marrow-like tissue with a branching network of vessels, and vigorous bone formation with thick linear blood vessels occurred in the TCPs with 75-µm, 300-µm, and 500-µm hole diameters, respectively. These results indicated that the geometrical structure of the honeycomb TCP affected cartilage and bone tissue formation separately owing to the induced angiogenesis and altered oxygen partial pressure within the holes.